Microwave Energy as a Treatment for Onychomycosis

Background

• Onychomycosis, commonly known as fungal nail, affects up to 50% of older individuals.
• Onychomycosis is challenging to treat for several reasons:
- Dermatophytes are embedded in and/or under the nail plate.
- Many treatment approaches are used, but all, including oral medications, have widely varying clearance rates.
- Resistance to oral medications is growing globally.
- Nail regrowth is slow and requires on-going management of both infection and lifestyle.
• Growing anti-fungal drug resistance highlights the need for novel treatments with unique mechanisms of action.
• Heat and microwaves can kill T. rubrum, the most prevalent dermatophyte, in clothing and footwear.

Summary

• All cases showed visual improvement.
• Treatment with the microwave device was relatively easy and offers several benefits.